Q18. What is sinful about the condition people fell into?
It includes the guilt of Adam's first sin, the loss of the goodness people were created with, and the corruption of our whole nature—which is called original sin—along with all the actual sins that come from it.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 5:12, 19
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. … For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Romans 3:10
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Ephesians 2:1–3
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
James 1:14–15
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What three things make up the sinful condition people fell into?
- 2
What does "original sin" mean?
- 3
Why do you think we do wrong things even when we know better?
Illustration
When a white shirt gets a stain, you do not just have the stain to deal with. The shirt also lost its cleanness, and other things it touches can get dirty too. Adam's sin left a stain of guilt on all people, took away the goodness we were created with, and corrupted our whole nature so that more sins keep coming.
Application
When you catch yourself doing something wrong this week without even meaning to, remember that this comes from original sin. You are not alone in this. Ask God for his grace, because only he can clean what is stained from the inside.